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New IRC data: Afghans evacuated to the U.S. are projected to contribute nearly $200 million in taxes, $1.4 billion in earnings in their first year of work

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New York, NY, August 12, 2022 — One year since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the historic evacuation of over 76,000 people, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) releases new data revealing the potential economic contributions of newly-arrived Afghans within their first year of employment in the United States, set to contribute nearly $200 million in taxes to their new communities.

Since the United States government launched Operation Allies Welcome and welcomed over 76,000 Afghan evacuees, this new community of Afghans has the potential to make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy, especially in current labor market conditions:

  • Of the 41,040 working-age Afghans in their first year of work, their projected economic contributions will total $1.4 billion, paying over $189 million in taxes.
  • Top industry sectors included accommodation and food services, retail trade, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and food manufacturing. 
  • Top job titles included: General Production, Warehouse Worker, Food Preparer and Driver. Others included Cashier, Sales Associate, Dishwasher and Housekeeper. 
  • Afghan refugees accessing IRC employment services have been placed in jobs on average within 126 days, making an average of $16.67 an hour, for an annual projected income of $34,673 during their first year of work. 

Ty Breland, Executive Vice President, and Chief Human Resources Officer at the Marriott, said:

“Marriott International is proud to join the International Rescue Committee in bringing attention to the remarkable contributions of refugees in our communities. We are in the business of connecting people through the power of travel and welcoming all. Having an inclusive environment where everyone belongs has long been core to our company DNA and we have seen firsthand that welcoming refugees enriches our business and communities. Our commitment to creating employment opportunities for refugees is unwavering, and we’re grateful to the IRC for their leadership in supporting refugees globally.”

Hans Van de Weerd, Vice President for US programs at the International Rescue Committee, said:

“Beyond any doubt, welcoming refugees is both right and smart - their contributions to the United States simply cannot be underestimated. These figures should be a call to action for the public and private sector alike: refugees bring more than they carry. Welcoming refugees, and employing them, is both right and smart. This is one of the many reasons why the IRC is encouraging the Biden Administration to set and meet an ambitious resettlement target of 125,000 in September, as there are still people in Afghanistan that the U.S. needs to resettle.

“Even more urgently, the IRC calls on Congress to pass an Afghan Adjustment Act - introduced last week by both the House and Senate on a bipartisan basis - which will secure a legal path to permanent residency for our new Afghan neighbors. This is essential to ensuring their great and growing contribution to the social fabric and economic muscle of U.S. communities.”

Note to Editors:

*Using an average federal income tax rate of 13.29%

ABOUT THE IRC

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC works in more than 40 countries and in 28 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Cinthya Hagemeier
cinthya.hagemeier@rescue.org
IRC Global Communications

+1 646 761 0307
communications@rescue.org